Guberman // Appleby Immigration Update: January 2026
Welcome to the Guberman // Appleby Immigration Update. We hope you find the information provided relevant to your immigration needs. Our objective is to highlight recent updates in immigration that are of interest to our readers. If you have questions about how these changes impact you, we invite you to contact our Canadian immigration lawyers for tailored guidance.
Today’s topic:
IRCC’s 2026 Targeted Express Entry Categories
Over the past years, IRCC has created targeted categories for Express Entry draws. This means that in addition to general draws for Canada Experience Class, Federal Skilled Worker Program, or Federal Skilled Trades Program applicants for Permanent Residence in Canada, the government also does specific draws in categories where there is a labour shortage or policy-driven rationale. In order to be eligible for a category-based draw, you also need to be eligible in one of the three Federal Immigration streams noted above.
For 2026, there are ten categories. The categories are:
- French-language proficiency
- Healthcare and social services occupations
- Science, Technology, Engineering and Math occupations
- Trade occupations
- Education occupations
- Transport occupations
- Physicians with Canadian work experience
- Senior managers with Canadian work experience
- Researchers with Canadian work experience
- Highly skilled foreign military applicants recruited by the Canadian Armed Forces in key roles
The new categories are Physicians with Canadian Work Experience, Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience, Researchers with Canadian Work Experience, Transport Occupations, and Highly skilled foreign military applicants recruited by the Canadian Armed Forces in key roles. As previously, the focus for the category-based draws, except for the French Language Proficiency category, is in sectors and occupations where there are labour market gaps.
There was also a significant change with respect to the experience requirement for eligibility in a targeted draw. For 2026, a minimum of one (1) year of work experience in the past three (3) years in an eligible occupation is required. Previously, the experience requirement was six (6) months.
The first category-based draw of 2026 occurred shortly after the announcement. Physicians with Canadian work experience were drawn from the Express Entry pool at a very low Comprehensive Ranking Score (CRS) cut-off of 169!!! This is the lowest CRS since February 13, 2021, when there was a one-time Canada Experience Class draw at 75 points during the height of the pandemic. Immediately following the Physicians with Canadian work experience draw, there was a Healthcare and Social Services Occupations draw at the relatively low score of 467.
The introduction of a targeted draw category of Senior Managers with Canadian work experience is a welcome and necessary addition. In recent years, and with the increasing focus on Francophone immigration, it has become difficult, if not impossible, for foreign national executives to successfully transition to Permanent Residence in Canada. These are typically people who receive zero points for age and, despite their extensive work experience, abilities to create and retain jobs for Canadians, have been unable to achieve competitive CRS scores as of late. Specifically, since March 2025, when it was no longer possible to claim 200 points on account of having a NOC 00 job in Canada, Senior Executives had no possible option for a realistic path to Permanent Residence. With this new category, there is a possible pathway forward for these foreign nationals who have much to contribute to Canada economically. Based on the CRS trends in the first two targeted draws of 2026, we are hopeful that lower scores will be applicable in this category.
To learn about permanent resident options for you based on the Category-Based draws, please contact our office to discuss your matter.
// CONTACT US
We welcome you to contact us directly to discuss the above. Please contact one of our Toronto immigration lawyers by reaching out to our general line 416-548-7100 or via email info@gaimmlaw.com. Our immigration lawyers are always available to discuss any of your specific Canadian or US immigration queries either virtually or in person. We look forward to hearing from you.
